Chapter 25: Bestowed Marriage

Jingcheng, Imperial Palace.

Palace of Earthly Tranquility.

Empress Xie Zixian stared at the letter in her hand, silent for a long time.

"Your Majesty, did something happen to the Prince Consort?"

The palace attendant Qingluan who attended Empress Xie Zixian spoke with concern, even a hint of urgency.

Although she was a palace attendant, she had served beside Empress Xie Zixian since childhood, was also quite familiar with Xie Zian, and Empress Xie Zixian once joked that she would marry Qingluan to Xie Zian.

After that, Qingluan's heart was filled only with the image of Xie Zian.

However, as she followed Empress Xie Zixian into the palace, this longing became a luxury.

But even so, Qingluan still thought of Xie Zian and cared deeply about his affairs.

"Qingluan, actually, if you wish, this palace can allow you to leave the palace!"

Empress Xie Zixian looked at the concerned Qingluan and let out a faint sigh.

"Your Majesty, Qingluan will not leave you."

"The Young Master is a person as beautiful as the bright moon; Qingluan's earlier foolish fantasies, please don't tease this servant; nowadays, this servant only needs to see from afar that the Prince Consort is well, and already feels content."

"What's so good about that guy?"

Empress Xie Zixian was very angry.

This hateful younger brother, I've disliked him since childhood, and he just won't change despite repeated teachings.

"Your Majesty, the Prince Consort is handsome!"

Qingluan's eyes sparkled with stars.

Seeing Qingluan's appearance, Empress Xie Zixian was speechless—can good looks be eaten as food?

Moreover, what's the point of a big man being so handsome?

They are twins, brother and sister, their appearances are basically similar. However, if Xie Zian dresses in women's clothing, he would be two points more alluring than Xie Zixian.

Whenever she thought of this, Empress Xie Zixian felt heaven unfair.

Clearly they have very similar faces, why is the subtle difference so obvious!

"Your Majesty, you haven't said yet—the Prince Consort took the initiative to write you a letter; what exactly happened?"

Qingluan saw Empress Xie Zixian divert the topic and quickly steered it back.

Empress Xie Zixian spoke unhappily, saying: "He is in Liu Cheng, has taken a liking to a maiden, wants to marry her, and wants His Majesty to issue an edict bestowing marriage!"

"Really?"

"This is really great!"

"Such a handsome Young Master, the maiden he fancies must be like a celestial fairy!"

"Aren't you angry?"

Empress Xie Zixian looked astonished at Qingluan, who was happy for Xie Zian, unable to imagine what poison this silly girl had taken from Xie Zian to be so magnanimous.

"Your Majesty, if the Prince Consort can marry the maiden he fancies, he will surely be delighted."

"In Qingluan's heart, as long as the Prince Consort is happy, this servant will also be happy."

"No hope!"

Empress Xie Zixian could not understand.

How can a woman, who likes a man, bear to watch that man and another woman fall in mutual affection without jealousy!

"Your Majesty, then, do you want to ask His Majesty to grant a marriage?"

"No!"

Empress Xie Zixian snorted coldly, "No merit, no reward; why would His Majesty grant him a marriage? That makes no sense!"

"But he is the Prince Consort!"

Qingluan's words directly hit Empress Xie Zixian's sore point.

The emperor granting marriage to imperial relatives and nobles is a common occurrence.

Of course, granting marriage is also a form of expressing imperial favor.

"Qingluan, can you have some ambition?"

"What kind of bewitching soup has that guy given you?"

Empress Xie Zixian felt exasperated (frustrated that someone hasn't lived up to their potential).

Qingluan tilted her head slightly, as if recalling, and after a while softly replied: "The Young Master is very good, Your Majesty, you are biased against the Young Master!"

"I..."

Empress Xie Zixian felt she too had her head caught in a door panel, actually arguing with Qingluan, this infatuated maid, over this— isn't she just making herself unhappy?

Take a deep breath, again!

Topic ended!

"Qingluan, go check the Hall of Heaven's Ultimate; if His Majesty is not busy, report and ask him to come over!"

"Yes!"

Upon hearing that her own Empress finally agreed to ask His Majesty to come discuss granting the Young Master a marriage, Qingluan's expression could be described as beaming with joy.

"Really no hope!"

Empress Xie Zixian was truly curious, what magic does this younger brother have, that he can make her side's big maid so devoted.

……

Emperor Xihe Qiyu has recently been quite leisurely; the world is peaceful, winds favorable, rains timely, and officials of all departments are also trouble-free.

When he learned that the Empress had summoned him, he quickly rushed to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.

"Zixian, what matter is so urgent?"

Can't we wait until evening to say it?

Qi Yu and Xie Zihan are also childhood sweethearts; now they have finally become a couple, as sweet as honey mixed with oil.

Ah Yu, it's that brat Zian!

Look!

Xie Zihan handed Xie Zian's letter to Emperor Xi He, so he could see it himself.

Huh?!

My little brother-in-law is actually going to get married?

An imperial marriage decree?

Haha, we must grant an imperial marriage!

Not only must we grant the marriage, I also want to take this girl as my sworn sister!

Qi Yu's face was beaming with excitement; he was clearly in high spirits.

Ah Yu, what are you planning to do?

Xie Zihan was utterly speechless—are there any normal people among these two?

Qi Yu chuckled and said: "When I married Zihan, that brat Zian gave me no end of trouble. Now I am his sister-in-law's elder brother—his elder brother-in-law—so giving him a hard time is only reasonable, right?"

Ah Yu, you are his brother-in-law, his brother-in-law!

Xie Zihan glanced at the childish Emperor Xi He, raised her hand to wipe her forehead, feeling an urge to go crazy and hit someone.

Besides, you are the ruler of a country; you must be steady!

Furthermore, even if you take this girl as your sworn sister, can you just leave the palace whenever you want?

As Xie Zihan spoke, her eyes suddenly lit up.

If Qi Yu can freely leave the palace, then perhaps she can too?

Ah Yu, I think you can take this girl as your sworn sister!

But this matter needs careful handling; it shouldn't be too abrupt, right?

Although the palace is fine, it ultimately lacks some mortal vitality, feeling somewhat unworldly.

Xie Zihan's personality is rather carefree; she would rather experience the bustling vitality of the marketplaces. However, as an empress, leaving the palace involves too many rules.

Now, it seems we can make an exception.

Qi Yu and Xie Zihan have grown up together since childhood; how could he not know what she's scheming?

We really need to work this out properly!

How about we figure it out together?

Good!

The emperor and empress immediately gathered together and began scheming.

Beside them, the azure phoenix silently lifted its head to gaze at the sky.

However, she said nothing, nor dared to say anything.

She could only pray in her heart for Xie Zian, hoping that these two wouldn't cause too much trouble; otherwise, the young master would surely be annoyed.

……

That day, the imperial edict granting the marriage was issued from the Extreme Heaven Hall.

The eunuch delivering the edict led a detachment of guards, along with two nursemaids who had retired from the side of the Grand Empress Dowager, marching mightily toward Liu Cheng.

At the same time, news spread through the capital that the Prince Consort, Xie Zian, was about to take a wife.

(End of chapter)